WASHINGTON DC: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies and consular places of work to cease scheduling new visa interviews for pupil candidates as Donald Trump administration is contemplating strict vetting of candidates’ social media profiles, Politico reported. This directive, specified by a cable obtained by Politico, would mark a broader software of current vetting procedures to limit international college students’ entry to American colleges and faculties.
“Efficient instantly, in preparation for an enlargement of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections shouldn’t add any further pupil or alternate customer (F, M, and J) visa appointment capability till additional steering is issued septel, which we anticipate within the coming days,” the cable states. (“Septel” is State Division shorthand for “separate telegram.”)
Whereas the cable doesn’t element what social media exercise shall be reviewed, it refers to govt orders targeted on counterterrorism and antisemitism, Politico reported. Earlier steering from administration included social media checks for returning college students who had participated in protests associated to Gaza. Many State Division officers have complained privately for months that previous steering, for, say, vetting college students who might have participated in campus protests, has been obscure.
Officers stay unsure whether or not particular on-line content material, corresponding to displaying a Palestinian flag, would set off additional evaluation, Politico reported. The administration has beforehand criticized some universities, particularly Harvard, over points associated to campus protests and antisemitism. It has additionally elevated immigration enforcement efforts which have included pupil visa holders.
Earlier, the Donald Trump administration determined to bar Harvard College from enrolling worldwide college students. Following Trump’s order, Harvard College condemned the choice as illegal and unwarranted and stated that the choice “imperils the futures of 1000’s of scholars and students.”
The college filed a authorized grievance and introduced plans to hunt a brief restraining order because it pursues all accessible cures.
In response to CNN, a federal choose had briefly halted the Trump administration’s ban on Friday, after Harvard College filed a go well with in federal court docket. Harvard argued revocation of its certification within the Pupil and Trade Customer Program was “clear retaliation” for its refusal of the federal government’s ideologically rooted coverage calls for.